31 episodes

The Northern New York Community Podcast is a platform to capture and share interviews highlighting stories of community philanthropy and service that has impacted the North County. The Region has been built in a part through the generous acts of people with an affinity and passion for the North County. Community philanthropy has played a valuable role in the growth, development and enrichment of villages, towns and cities in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Stories have messages that can inspire. The podcast will be an on-going project and feature North Country natives and residents who believe in strengthening the area where they grew up, raised families or currently live today. We will hear from a variety of civic-minded individuals, couples and families devoted to lasting community betterment.

Northern New York Community Podcast Northern New York Community Podcast

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

The Northern New York Community Podcast is a platform to capture and share interviews highlighting stories of community philanthropy and service that has impacted the North County. The Region has been built in a part through the generous acts of people with an affinity and passion for the North County. Community philanthropy has played a valuable role in the growth, development and enrichment of villages, towns and cities in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Stories have messages that can inspire. The podcast will be an on-going project and feature North Country natives and residents who believe in strengthening the area where they grew up, raised families or currently live today. We will hear from a variety of civic-minded individuals, couples and families devoted to lasting community betterment.

    Youth Philanthropy Council Alumni

    Youth Philanthropy Council Alumni

    Highlights | Transcript | Photos

    The Northern New York Community Foundation created a Youth Philanthropy Council to give high school students a glimpse into the world of community philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Since the program began, close to 150 high school students from five different area schools have participated in the program. More than 90 grants to nonprofits in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties have been awarded by the council, totaling close to $150,000. The tangible outcomes from the grants are noteworthy and meaningful, but the real progress is being made within the council itself.

    High school students learn to lead, collaborate, and make a true difference in their community. A spirit of philanthropy builds inside each student. On this podcast, we bring in four former Youth Philanthropy Council members. They share their reflections from their time on the council, but also dive into what they learned as they embark on the opening chapter of their professional careers and also how they plan to give back in the future.

    Participants:

    Marcus Lavarnway

    Sarah Van Eenenaam

    Sara Glover

    Dominic Uliano IV

    “I think not only did it change my outlook on my community and philanthropy as a whole and what it means, but it also taught me leadership. … I think it taught me really great life skills, and I think moving forward, the lessons that I’ve learned via philanthropy will be with me for a long time to come.”



    – Marcus Lavarnway

    “I learned that philanthropy it’s a perpetual motion machine. By lifting up others around you, you hope to inspire others to do the same. It taught me the responsibility of those fortunate enough to have means to share it with others.”



    – Sarah Van Eenenaam

    “I think that it’s important not to hold back. If there’s anything that you feel really passionate about, just go for it. Use your voice to help the community as much as you can and really just go for it.”



    – Sara Glover

    “I think my mindset on it has changed. I know I’m leaving so that’s ironic, but I definitely have plans on coming back after. Get out for a little while, go learn about the world, but come back and give back because this community gave me so much that I was definitely not appreciative of when I was a student. But now looking back, it’s a great place to grow up really. It provides a lot of things that in other cities or places across the U.S. you just don’t get.”



    – Dominic Uliano IV


    Highlights


    1:38

    Marcus Lavarnway

    10:28

    Sarah Van Eenenaam

    20:02

    Sara Glover

    28:40

    Dominic Uliano IV





     

    Transcripts
    Click Below to download a pdf of the Audio Transcripts from the podcast.

    Download Transcript


    Photos


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    Bruce Irwin and David Stoodley

    Bruce Irwin and David Stoodley

    Highlights | Transcript | Photos

    Their first conversations started in church and centered on baseball. Today, the chats between Bruce Irwin and David Stoodley are more diverse, but are guaranteed to mention food. More specifically, food items to purchase for individuals and families in need. On this podcast, Bruce and David talk about their weekly food pantry shopping to benefit families through the Watertown Urban Mission. They also share their individual backstory and roots in giving. Plus, Bruce and David mention favorite charitable efforts and how they impact the North Country.

    Participants:

    Bruce Irwin and David Stoodley

    “You see it if you’re out in the community at all, which both of us are. You see the need. The agencies I’m most involved with are the (Watertown Urban) Mission and Salvation Army. You know, you see it every day and you start to wonder, ‘Well, can I do something? Even on a small scale?”



    – Bruce Irwin


    Highlights


    3:00

    Service, sports, and shipping

    10:10

    Motivated by family

    18:10

    Connecting congregation to the food pantry

    28:10

    Identifying areas of community need





     

    Transcripts
    Click Below to download a pdf of the Audio Transcripts from the podcast.

    Download Transcript


    Photos


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    John and Mary Jo Deans

    John and Mary Jo Deans

    Highlights | Transcript | Photos

    For John and Mary Jo Deans, the scope of their community philanthropy is vast and far-reaching. Education has always been at the core of each act of giving. On this podcast, the Sackets Harbor couple explains their roots in education, and how arriving at Jefferson Community College impacted their lives and the North Country. We also hope you enjoy many stories shared reflecting on a love for history, the military, family values, and keeping a community connected.

    Participants:

    John and Mary Jo Deans

    “I would go beyond and say education is important to every community’s future, but I think particularly for a community that has a determination to remain strong or to become stronger, and people within it have the same feeling. … Education remains the best single investment a community can make.”



    – John Deans


    Highlights


    3:00

    Growing up in Malone and Poughkeepsie

    11:22

    Introduction to Jefferson Community College

    19:27

    Focus of a college president

    32:30

    Why history is important to community philanthropy

    41:12

    Inspiration from losing a loved one

     

    Transcripts
    Click Below to download a pdf of the Audio Transcripts from the podcast.

    Download Transcript


    Photos


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    Mart Liinve

    Mart Liinve

    Highlights | Transcript | Photos

    Mart Liinve remembers those early years. Traveling from Estonia, he lived in eight different places by the time he was 10 years old. Sacrifice was part of the family lexicon. Mart also understood the importance of work ethic. With an engineering mind, he helped build a successful North Country business, and in turn, decided to give back to the region where he experienced personal and professional growth. Mart shares stories of his childhood, details on building a successful business, and what compels him to give back.

    Participants:

    Mart Liinve

    “I’ve lived here in Watertown now more than half my life, in spite of the fact that I’m an Estonian, Swedish, Canadian, American … I’m Estonian, but I’m an American citizen. And I feel like I belong here, and it’s a great country, and I want to do my part to give back to the community, where I’ve had the opportunity to run a business, and meet a lot of great people. I’m blessed.”

    – Mart Liinve


    Highlights


    1:40

    Nomadic childhood in an Estonian family

    13:45

    From engineering to business

    31:07

    Connecting with the Community Foundation

    35:45

    The importance of enduring giving

     

    Transcripts
    Click Below to download a pdf of the Audio Transcripts from the podcast.

    Download Transcript


    Photos


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    Next Generation Leadership

    Next Generation Leadership

    Highlights | Transcript | Photos

    As communities change over time, so does the leadership behind their evolution. Looking ahead to the North Country’s future, a combination of young leaders from the Northern New York Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council and LEAD Council got together to discuss various questions on the topic of next generation leadership. The five participants identify leadership traits, their journey in community involvement, and how they hope young leaders become more involved in the future. What’s their message? The next generation of North Country leaders is here and ready to serve.

    Participants:



    Grayden Brunet, Senior, Sackets Harbor Central School, YPC member

    Joanna Loomis, Director of Provider Strategy and Transformation, North Country Initiative, LEAD Council member

    Lauryn Quinn, Senior, Immaculate Heart Central School, YPC member

    Erin Simser, Graphic Design and Marketing Specialist, WinnResidential Military Housing Services, LEAD Council member

    Robert Sligar, Assistant Vice President, Carthage Savings and Loan Association, LEAD council member

    “The biggest thing that you want to remember is that you’re leading for a reason. You’re leading for the people around you and it’s not just your voice that you have to lead for in your head, you have to be respectful and listen to everyone else’s voice, because that’s the true reason why you’re leading.”

    – Grayden Brunet

    “I think (we could have) more opportunities for young leaders to bring in students into situations where they can learn about the process. So, to sit in on a board meeting and experience what it’s like, to go to a volunteer opportunity and be hands on and see what good it is doing. I think the more we can do that and really get the youth of our community involved … I think it will be beneficial because I think they’ll see what it’s ultimately doing.”

    – Erin Simser

    “I hope my legacy just inspires others. I don’t have a plan for myself quite yet, but as long as I can inspire others to get involved in the community, I know that I’ve done my job.”

    – Lauryn Quinn


    Highlights


    5:55

    Characteristics of a leader

    13:35

    Observations and experiences in philanthropy

    27:44

    How to be a mindful and adaptive leader

    36:40

    Evolving legacies

     

    Transcripts
    Click Below to download a pdf of the Audio Transcripts from the podcast.

    Download Transcript


    Photos


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    Thomas J. Yousey

    Thomas J. Yousey

    Highlights | Transcript | Photos

    “Giving back should make someone feel awesome.” That’s the way Thomas J. Yousey views his philanthropy. His spirit for helping others has been integrated through local schools, municipalities, churches and more. Tom offers a glimpse into his passion for teaching, caring for communities, and being there for loved ones. He shares some of his most meaningful messages, and the impact of giving in tandem with his wife, Linda.

    Participants:

    Thomas J. Yousey

    “Our communities need our time and our talent as much as they need our money. I think a philanthropist is a person who gives extraordinarily of themselves for no other reason than to build their community.”

    – Thomas J. Yousey


    Highlights


    6:16

    Learning to love education

    22:18

    Motivation to become mayor

    35:30

    Three defining quotes

    46:50

    Inspiration from Linda

     

    Transcripts
    Click Below to download a pdf of the Audio Transcripts from the podcast.

    Download Transcript


    Photos


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